Dele Alli decision close at Everton as Euro club ready contract offer
Everton may not have had loads of money to spend this summer, but Sean Dyche and the recruitment team have managed to find a way to bolster their ranks.
While the Toffees appear to still be a bit light when it comes to firepower at the top end of the pitch, for the most part, they appear to have reasonable depth if everyone manages to get and remain match-fit.
Even with the transfer window show, the Blues do have the opportunity to further add to their squad in the coming days and weeks as the free agent market remains available to Dyche and the recruitment team.
While deals for free agents can be completed outside of the transfer window and therefore there is less time pressure to conclude a transfer, time may be running out for Everton to sign one international this season.
Is Dele Alli still an Everton player?
Dele Alli has spent pre-season training with Dyche’s side and is understood to still be working with the Toffees as he builds up his fitness after countless injury setbacks.
While the England international is a free agent after his contract at Goodison expired at the end of last season, the Blues have negotiated a deal with Tottenham which will allow them to sign him if he proves his fitness.
Reports suggest that the contract on offer on Merseyside will be a one-year deal [The Athletic, 23 August] but Dyche and his team may have to make a decision sooner rather than later as interest in the midfielder heats up.
Ligue 1 side Lille were understood to be considering a move for Dele in the final hours of the window [Sky Sports, 30 August] while Real Betis are believed to be preparing a contract offer to bring him to La Liga [El Nacional, 8 September].
Although it isn’t yet clear whether either of these European sides will act on their interest in the former Spurs man, Everton will have to move quickly to make their offer if they do want to keep him in the Premier League.
The Toffees may well have already decided that offering Dele a new contract isn’t a gamble worth taking, particularly given their current financial position, but so far a move hasn’t been ruled out.
Whether or not an offer is made to the midfielder or not, the latest developments would suggest that a decision over his future is closer than ever before.
In other Everton news, a Seamus Coleman injury update emerges at Goodison Park after new international developments
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